Preparing the Algorithm

Posted on Sun Feb 3, 2019 @ 7:44pm by Commodore Michael Aravan & Lieutenant Commander Kelani Tetanal

Mission: On Slippery Ground
Location: Science/Bridge
Timeline: MD 1 || 1330 hours

After getting the Commodore's approval, Kelani began to work in earnest. With the sensors adversely affected by the plasma storms in the badlands, they were essentially flying blind. The idea for the echolocation was helpful, but they needed more....

Using her small screen, Kelani began to input parameters, noting which ones seemed to help and discarding others. the process was tedious, and she felt the pressure of time upon her--the badlands were noted for pirate activity as well as many other activities of questionable nature.

Her first try yielded a steadier screen---the images no longer jumped and twisted. Encouraged, she began to build on that, trying to stabilize the image itself.

Her second try seemed to clear more of the static, but the images were still mostly unreliable. She sighed in frustration, seeing time slipping by.

Her third try yielded a stable image, but there were still some unpredictable jumps in it.

~Almost there~ she thought.


She made several minute changes to the algorithm and tried again. She smiled. the image was clearer...

"Commodore, I think I have it." she reported.

=^=Report, Lieutenant=^= Michael responded.

“It is not completely clear, Commodore, but we can now get useful information from the sensors,” Kelani said, adding, “Certain aspects are still somewhat questionable, but I believe the sensors to be usable now.”

=^=Thank you, Lieutenant. Report back to the bridge.=^= The Commodore replied.

"Aye, Sir. On my way," Kelani replied, as she downloaded her work into a PADD. She hurried out, on her way to the Bridge.

Once there, she moved to the Commodore, saying, "Here are my results, Commodore. Nothing will completely compensate for the Badlands, but at least we should be able to glean some information from the sensors now"

"Show me what you have, Lieutenant," Michael said as the ship pitched and rolled in the plasma storm as he headed for his ready room.

Kelani followed the Commodore into the Ready Room, waiting until the doors closed behind them before she began to speak, “This algorithm compensated for the major variances here in the Badlands—the smaller adjustments must be done manually. However, the sensors will be usable,” she concluded as she handed Michael the PADD.

He took the PADD and linked it to the computer, then brought it up on the LCARS conference table. "Computer, analyze," he said.

"Analyzing," the computer responded. "Confirmed. Compensating sensors."

A smile crossed Michael's grim face. "Great work, Lieutenant," he told her. "Get this to Operations and have them start implementing it as soon as they can."

Kelani also smiled as she retrieved the PADD. “At once, sir,” she told him as she hurried out.

Michael sighed as he looked at the work; he wasn't a Scientist, but he had a damned fine crew and knew they would look after the ship and crew just as much as he would. Straightening his shoulders, he headed back onto the bridge.